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Monday, December 28, 2009

I love to bake cookies too! For Christmas, I used Martha's Cutout Cookie recipe fromMartha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share (Martha Stewart Living Magazine).The recipe was flawless! I changed it just a tiny bit. I divided the dough and rolled them out between pieces of parchment paper. I placed in the fridge over night. In the morning, the dough was ready to be cut out! It worked beautifully! Perfect snowmen, perfect santa hats! Nice crisp lines! When the dough got to warm, I placed it in the fridge for a few minutes. Cold dough is the key!!!

For the royal icing, I tried Alton Brown's recipe. He has never let me down before, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to make your own royal icing! Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

3 ounces pasteurized egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

In large bowl of stand mixer combine the egg whites and vanilla and beat until frothy. Add confectioners' sugar gradually and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated and mixture is shiny. Turn speed up to high and beat until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks. This should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Add food coloring, if desired. For immediate use, transfer icing to pastry bag or heavy duty storage bag and pipe as desired. If using storage bag, clip corner. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

My friend Carol's Birthday is Christmas Eve! As a gift, I made these beautiful Red Velvet cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting. I decorated them for the season, which she just loved! Now who wouldn't want a 12 pack of these for their Birthday?! YUM!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Each year I bake for my friends and co-workers. It usually consists of a variety of cookies and brownies. This year I changed it up a bit and made a cupcake sampler. Each box of 6 cupcakes showcased my favorite Holiday flavors. I chose Egg Nog, Peppermint Mocha and my Gingerbread with Cream Cheese frosting to give as gifts! It was a super cute, extremely delicious and an absolute hit!

Friday, November 6, 2009

How about skipping the tasteless supermarket bakery cookies this year and order from me! During the month of December, I will be also adding holiday cookie orders to my menu! Each will be presented in one of my organic bakery boxes, tied up with holiday ribbon or rafia. Perfect for parties or gifts! 2 dozen minimum per order. Inquire today!

Miss. Jessie, from Cakespy, has truly done it again. This time, surprising me with a super cute anniversary gift commissioned by my husband. This adorable water color was created for our 3 year wedding anniversary. She really nailed it! There is even a Cuppie Pumpkin and a Cuppie Linus! Three Disney balloons symbolizing our 3 years of marriage. Unbelievably creative!! If you haven't already checked her out, you are fool! Go now! You will become just as addicted as I am!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

The holiday season is right around the corner! Why not make a statement at your next party. Serve cupcakes! Please allow 2 weeks for ordering. This is a busy time of year. Thanksgiving orders will be taken up until November, 24th. All orders must be picked up or delivered on Wednesday, November 25th. No Thanksgiving Day deliveries. Christmas orders will be accepted until December 24th. Christmas Eve pick up and deliveries before noon only.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

I was just given the honor of catering a Birthday Party for a friend of mine! She decided to hold her event at the famous, Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, NJ! I created a cupcake tower, full of my Cherry Cola Cupcakes! Deep and delicious Red Cola Cake, was decorated with a Cherry and Cola Buttercream! The recyclable cupcake tower was simply decorated with a red on red polka dot ribbon!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Fall is almost here and that means delicious Autumn inspired and Halloween Cupcakes are available from yours truly! I make many different variations, so please don't hesitate to ask how I can personalize it for you!

The Cupcake Cauldron will not be filling orders from October 21-November 4th. Sorry, but it's my favorite holiday and I will be taking a much needed vacation!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Halloween is my favorite holiday, so as Summer comes to an end, I am on the look out for cute Halloween party ideas. I found this adorable cupcake stand courtesy of Wilton! It seems to comfortably hold 24 cupcakes.

The Haunted Mansion is available for a limited time and would be a perfect addition to your party!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Growing up in an Italian family, a holiday or gathering was not complete without a box of Italian pastries and the blessed cannoli! YUM!

I have always wanted to create a cupcake that tastes like a cannoli. This cake is the closest I have ever come! White almond cake with hints of cinnamon and orange zest with a ricotta and mascarpone cheese frosting. I swirled in mini chocolate chips and some cinnamon and almond extract. I topped the cupcake with pieces of broken cannoli shell.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Cupcake Cauldron is hoping you are all having a fantastic Summer! In honor of the last full month of Summer, starting August 10th, we will have a pretty sweet deal for you all! For a limited time, order one dozen cupcakes and get a second dozen of the same flavor for 1/2 off!

Have a great day!!

For personalized cupcakes, decorations will be charged at full price. The following cupcakes are not part of our sale:The Beatrix Potter, The Great Pumpkin, Fluffernutter, & PB&J.Please inquire when placing your order!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

If there is one person I can say I look up to it's Martha Stewart. She is just brilliant. Her entertaining ideas are fun, her recipes always come out fantastic, and she is just one awesome & successful woman. This year I have decided to put a bunch of my cupcakes in the running for,THE CUTEST CUPCAKES CONTEST 2009.

I think I have a pretty fair shot. Some of the cupcakes I have placed in the pool are: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Day of the Dead, Strawberry Jam, Pumpkin Spice, etc. I think my classic and inventive cupcakes may catch her eye. Nevertheless, I am excited to see the winners and have been most impressed by some of the entries.

CUPCAKES!!!

And while I am on the subject, go out and buy Martha's new Cupcake book. It's filled with goodness!

Monday, July 20, 2009

I recently hosted a Harry Potter party at my home. Cauldrons were bubbling with polyjuice potion, mason jars filled with butterbeer, and our food was even themed too. For desert, I created these beauties. Devil's food cupcakes with ribbons of peanut butter frosting swirled. Each was topped with a handmade fondant pumpkin and sugar sprinkles.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Monday, June 29, 2009

I recently had the pleasure of catering a Spring Bridal Shower. My sister-in-law ordered these adorable cupcakes for the party. We customized the flavor and colors to match the brides taste. The cupcake was made from lemon pudding, fresh lemons and lots of zest. It was creamy and soft and absolutely delicious with vanilla bean swirled into the batter. The frosting was a simple white butter cream, which was smooth and sweet! Because this was a garden Bridal Shower, I topped each cupcake with a sugar flower.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I have always wanted to try making a cupcake that tasted and looked like an ice cream sundae. I finally came up with a plan. I made the chocolate cake with Hershey's syrup and Chocolate pudding. YUM! For the buttercream I used both vanilla extract and vanilla bean for a delicious vanilla ice cream flavor. The texture was pretty spot on too! Think Rita's or Mr. Softy! No sundae is complete without chocolate fudge. I made a homemade dark chocolate ganache and added a sprinkles and cherries! SOOO cute! These were a big hit with a recent customer.

Put in your orders today for July 4th! Ice cream sundae with patriotic sprinkles!! A perfect little end to your backyard BBQ!

Monday, June 8, 2009

A close friend of the family recently ordered 4 dozen cupcakes for a charity event. She was nice enough to photograph the cupcake stand showcasing my work. The cupcake stand was decorated with pink ribbon for this party.

Friday, June 5, 2009

This cupcake tower is for an extra special Birthday Girl! Dora the Explorer themed cupcakes were requested for this event!

My vanilla cake is made with madagascar vanilla bean and vanilla pudding. Each cupcake is topped with my rich, chocolate frosting made with Hershey's chocolate! Lavendar sprinkles and Dora add the perfect finishing touch.

These dozen cupcakes are displayed on a cupcake tower personalized with matching ribbon!

Red Velvets have become an absolute favorite of mine! I was super excited when someone ordered a dozen of these cuties! Red Velvet comes in all shades, however for this event, I chose a darker hue of burgundy. The color, when you bite in, is stunning! They are frosted with my delicious and smooth Cream Cheese frosting and decorated with an adorable red sugar flower!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

When it came time to choose my packaging one thing was clear to me, I wasn't going to settle. I wanted something sturdy, secure and also recyclable. After months, and yes I did research for months, I found these beauties!

My boxes are uncoated, which means no chemicals were used to change their natural organic appearance. Also, the fiber for these boxes comes from SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) lumber collected and reforested utilizing environmentally friendly practices. They are 100% recyclable. This is important to The Cupcake Cauldron. A little bit of extra money for these boxes on my part, goes a long way for you and the environment!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Summer picnics are not complete without this absolutely delicious cupcake! Rootbeer cake topped with vanilla bean butter cream! Drizzled on top is A&W rootbeer syrup! These were gone in seconds at my Memorial Day BBQ. They are a sure hit!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

My original art work from the famous Cakespy arrived yesterday! I contacted my very favorite cupcake artist to create a piece for my kitchen. Featuring Cuppie the cupcake as a witch, mixing up a wicked batter in her cauldron. (Pumpkin even made it into the painting) HOW CUTE!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

What could be sweeter than strawberries and cupcakes? For this Mother's Day, I created two different cupcakes for my Mother. The first is a vanilla cake with strawberry butter cream. The second is a vanilla cake filled with strawberry preserves, topped with buttercream and a fresh strawberry!! These cuties were delicious and absolutely adorable!

Friday, May 8, 2009

I had the pleasure of creating some of the most delicious and beautiful cupcakes for my husband's Birthday! Mexican hot chocolate cupcakes, with cayenne pepper and cinnamon, frosted with a caramelized sugar buttercream. YUM! Each decorated with a marzipan skull, which I hand painted with edible marker! Kristofor loves Dia de Los Muertos, and I love him..so this is the perfect combination to celebrate this special day!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Want to congratulate someone of their achievements? Show them how proud you are of them?!! What better way to say "CONGRATS" then with cupcakes! Choose from my large variety of flavors! All cap and diploma sugar cupcake toppers need a 2 week lead time for ordering! So contact me today!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

So as my business starts and orders come in, I am on the fence about 1 thing...cupcake stands! As a possible future customer, I want to hear you opinion! Please check out my new poll and let me know what you think. Each has it's pros and cons. For instance, if you rent a stand from me, it will need to be returned. However, a disposable may not be as pretty as a rental, but there are no worries the next day about returning it. Here are two examples of stands I am interested in purchasing.

The Cupcake Tree (disposable, easily decorated with ribbon)

Cupcake Stand (I will have at all times for rental)

Please note: Any one of these cupcake stands can be personalized with ribbons for an extra charge. Personalization starts at $15 dollars.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Caffè Mocha is definitely onefor the coffee lovers!!This beauty is devil’s food cake topped with a whipped espresso buttercream and rich chocolate shavings. This is my most popular cupcake so far! Order a dozen (or two) of these delicious cupcakes for your next party today!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

So, time and again I will blog about something besides MY cupcakes. I just needed to showcase my friend Kierra's awesome effort to make these adorable cupcake bites! Chocolate cupcake base, fudge cake inside, dipped in pastel colored chocolate. It's so sweet, so time consuming, that's why I must give her props!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

My new Recyclable packaging has arrived!! My new cupcake carriers hold 1 dozen cupcakes! The cute inserts also help the cupcakes from not moving around! These beauties just arrived in time for these adorable Spring carrot cake cupcakes for Easter!!!

Where I have been featured!

Reviews & Comments

"Hi! I just wanted to post a quick thank you for the mention as one of your favorite ingredients. Your flavors sound wonderful and the photos really portray your beautiful work well!"

-Matt Nielsen

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

"Thank you so much for helping us protect wildlife on the gulf. Your cupcakes look delicious! What a creative and sweet thing to do. (pun intended!)"

-Danielle from The National Wildlife Federation

" The cupcakes that Ashley made for Alyssa's party were absolutely delicious. They were so cute and really good. My girlfriend said it was the best cupcake she ever had."- Stacy from NJ

"I just had to tell you that the cupcakes were delicious. I wish you could have seen the kids with chocolate icing all over their faces. What the kids didn't eat the mothers did. Thanks again!"- Joan from NJ

"Hi Ashley. I tasted your cupcakes at the Fundraiser last Friday, very good!" - Sheryn from NJ

"I think I say this every time, but THESE are the BEST cupcakes you've ever made!! They look amazing and they taste better than they look :)" - Kris from NJ